March 10, 2014 -- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is accepting applications for an experimental spring/summer feral hog trapping season on select wildlife management areas around the state.

The experimental season will run from May 1 to Aug. 31, 2014, on the following WMAs: Boeuf, Clear Creek, Jackson-Bienville, Manchac, Pearl River, Richard K. Yancey, Sherburne, Thistlethwaite and West Bay.

Applications will be accepted through April 4, 2014 and forms can be obtained via the LDWF website at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/lottery-hunts . For those without web access, call 225-765-2346 to obtain an application. A non-refundable $5 administrative fee must be submitted with each application.

Lottery rules:

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Each selected applicant will be assigned to a specific unit on the WMA for the entire trapping period.

Traps will be corral type traps only. No snares will be allowed.

No live transport will be allowed.

Access allowances and restrictions will vary by area and by unit assigned, and will be specified on a permit issued to selected applicants.

Each selected applicant must attend a mandatory class prior to any activity on the WMA. This class will be scheduled by LDWF prior to the WMA feral hog trapping season and the selected applicants will be notified.

Selected applicant must possess a basic hunting license and WMA permit to participate.

The purpose of the experimental season is to reduce the feral hog numbers on the WMAs selected and subsequently reduce habitat destruction. Damage to wildlife management areas and private property in recent years has increased as the feral hog population in Louisiana has increased. Hog harvest by hunters on WMAs during fall-winter hunting seasons has not been successful in keeping hog populations under control.